The rooted blog has been moved to a different location: http://www.westcobbchurch.com/rooted
You’ll still find future blogs from me here. If you want a daily Bible reading plan that mirrors our sermon series, click on the “Daily Bible Reading” page on the toolbar above.
If you have any questions, email me: ken.w@westcobbchurch.com
- Ken
Thankful; Gratitude in Your Hearts. Those are the words that jumped out at me today. I talk about Defiant Gratitude all the time; but today, I don’t need defiance to be grateful.
Today is our last Rooted reading and I’m grateful for all that’s happened during this study. You’ve taken this study seriously. Thank you! You’ve had fun with it. Thank you! Our Connection Group Leaders have worked hard at facilitating their lessons and leading by example. Thank you! Several of you have memorized scripture. Thank you! Chris Sanders has led a team of prayer warriors. Thank you! Our Pipeline & Kids Rock leaders have given us engaging family devotions. Thank you! Our Creative Arts team has engaged our hearts, eyes, and ears. Thank you! The staff did an awesome job planning and implementing Rooted (this is all homegrown – even the graphics). Thank you! The bloggers have hung in there, allowing God to use them in ways they don’t even know. Thank you! Our West Cobb Wednesday teams are amazing. Thank you! Our men’s and women’s groups are seeing exciting life change. Thank you! You took time out of your busy schedules to complete the Rooted survey (hint, hint, hint). Thank you! You have embraced this study more than I could hope. Thank you!
As a pastor, it’s exciting to have a church that’s serious about Growing with God. Several of you have mentioned that we should continue with the format. So, we’re going to try your suggestion – on a smaller scale. Here’s what we’ll do…
If you’re going to follow the blog, I HIGHLY recommend that you ’subscribe’ to it. If you don’t know what it means to subscribe, we’ll have an explanation on the HELP Page by Monday.
In the meantime, you’ll find the Rooted survey by clicking HERE.
In Today’s Comments, I’d like for you to share how God has shaped you through Rooted…
THANK YOU!
I love Colossians, chapter 2. It’s helped me survive ministry, especially verses 18 and 23. Here’s what those verses say in The Message:
Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with (spiritual things) and seek out visions like they do. They’re a lot of hot air, that’s all they are. They’re completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ… They sound impressive (especially when they talk) in a deep voice. They even give the illusion of being pious, humble and (spiritual). But it’s just another way of showing off, making (themselves) look important.
Some people sound so spiritual. They’re even respected by many in their church, but they’re really ”a lot of hot air.”I prefer people who are honest with themselves and God. Take Trey Fraser, for example:
Last night, Trey (age eight) found me at church and told me that he was raising money for the American Heart Association. He had his pledge form in hand and wanted me to contribute. Trey said, ”I want to be truthful with you. I am raising money for people who have heart problems, but I really want to raise alot of money so I can win the big prizes.”
I love someone who’s honest like that! After hearing Trey’s pitch, I gave him an extra dollar…
How do you feel when you talk to someone who’s a bunch of hot air? What’s God teaching you through Colossians 2?
P.S. We don’t have anyone in our church (that I know of) who’s full of hot air. I think it’s because we like to pop their balloons.
There’s someone in our church that I’ve been missing lately. We’ll call her Jan. I emailed Jan and asked how she was doing. She’s struggling. Depression, loneliness, and feelings of abandonment by God. Now, Jan’s a remarkable lady. Everyone who knows her loves her. I’m telling you, she’s really amazing, but she’s had a tough life… really tough. And she wants so desperately to feel loved by God, but right now she feels nothing.
Since I’m an exceptionally wise and intelligent pastor, I offered Jan a few thoughts – some might call them suggestions – on her difficulties. Her response? “I just can’t buy them right now.” The platitudes that usually sound so good (never doubt in the dark what God taught you in the light; just hang in there; or perseverance produces character) just don’t work in Jan’s case. She has already ‘hung in there’ longer than I ever would. She has endured more heartache in any ten year period of her life than I want to experience in my entire life.
So what do I do??? That’s where Philippians helped me. “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” I’m not sure what acts of kindness Paul is referring to in that verse, but I do get the sense that the church at Philippi cared for Paul – and showed it. And that’s all I can do for Jan, care for her and show it. God will have to take care of the rest. He did for Paul and He will for Jan.
Have you ever had someone reach out to you when you were in an awful place? How did it help?
What’s God teaching you through Philippians 4?
Perspective. It really is everything. Amy talked about it yesterday in her post . She mentioned how our perspective changes when we return from a mission trip; how big issues become minuscule with a simple change in perspective. That’s true for me, too. Before I leave for a mission trip to Belarus, I’m overwhelmed with all I have to do to keep the church going. Then on the trip, I interact with people who have a simple dependence on God. They know that they cannot grow the church or live without God. They have no alternative, but to trust Him to do what they cannot.
Frankly, I can’t even tell you how that truth relates to today’s passage. 
But I read Amy’s post, then read today’s verses, and I was left with an overwhelming feeling that I carry too much of the load myself. Maybe that’s part of what Paul’s talking about when he says, “let us live up to what we’ve already attained” I already have a life of joy, love, peace, and purpose in Christ. I just need a new perspective, so I can enjoy that life, rather than work hard to recreate it.
Has there ever been a time in your life when your perspective changed and big issues shrunk in their importance?
What’s God teaching you through Philippians 3?
